Hafeet Rail reaches key construction mark

Hafeet Rail has completed 40 per cent of the Oman-UAE railway link, moving the Gulf’s first cross-border rail connection into a more advanced construction phase as work accelerates across tunnels, bridges, earthworks and logistics facilities along the corridor.

The company, a joint venture between Etihad Rail, Oman Rail and Mubadala Investment Company, said the milestone covers civil works and major structures on the 238-kilometre line connecting Sohar Port with the UAE national rail network through Al Ain. The project is designed to carry both freight and passengers, creating a direct rail artery between two of the Gulf’s most active trade corridors.

The progress update comes as track installation begins on sections of the route, marking a shift from large-scale ground preparation and structural works towards rail systems delivery. More than 27 million cubic metres of earthworks have been completed, concrete works have crossed 100,000 cubic metres, and 80 structures are under construction at different stages. The project has also recorded more than 10 million safe working hours without major injuries, a key operational marker for a complex infrastructure programme cutting across urban, industrial and mountainous terrain.

The railway will run through strategic locations including Sohar, Al Buraimi, Wadi Al Jizzi and Al Ain, linking ports, industrial zones, logistics hubs and population centres. The alignment includes bridges, tunnels, underpasses, box culverts and flood-protection works, reflecting the engineering challenges posed by wadis, mountain formations and cross-border transport requirements.

Passenger trains are planned to operate at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour, reducing travel time between Sohar and Abu Dhabi to about 100 minutes and between Sohar and Al Ain to around 47 minutes. Freight trains are expected to run at up to 120 kilometres per hour, offering a faster and lower-emission alternative to road freight for bulk cargo, containers, industrial goods, food products and other cross-border shipments.

Hafeet Rail is being positioned as a key component of a wider Gulf rail integration plan, although regional rail connectivity has moved unevenly over the years because of funding, technical and coordination issues. The Oman-UAE section is viewed as one of the most advanced cross-border components under development, supported by the UAE’s completed freight network and Oman’s push to strengthen Sohar’s role as a logistics and industrial gateway.

The project’s strategic value lies in its ability to connect Sohar Port with the UAE’s domestic rail network, which links major ports, industrial clusters and logistics centres across the Emirates. That connection could allow cargo to move from Oman into the UAE and onward to regional markets with fewer delays at road borders and lower dependence on long-haul trucking.

For Oman, the line strengthens Sohar’s position in regional trade at a time when the sultanate is seeking to expand non-oil activity, attract manufacturing investment and develop logistics as a pillar of economic diversification. For the UAE, the corridor extends the national rail network’s regional reach and supports Abu Dhabi’s ambition to deepen links with neighbouring economies through integrated transport infrastructure.

The railway also carries diplomatic and commercial significance. It reflects closer economic coordination between Muscat and Abu Dhabi, particularly in logistics, energy, manufacturing and tourism. Cross-border passenger services could support business travel, tourism and family movement, while freight services are expected to benefit companies operating between ports, free zones and industrial estates in both countries.

The project has evolved from the Oman and Etihad Rail Company structure announced in 2022 into the Hafeet Rail identity unveiled in 2024. Preparatory works began after the shareholders moved ahead with construction agreements, including civil works and systems contracts involving regional and international engineering groups. The current phase covers tunnelling, bridge construction, systems preparation and track works, with operational timelines still dependent on construction progress, testing, certification and border procedures.